Cost and Consequences of Integrated Public Health Campaign in Baglung District, Nepal

Abstract

Correction: On 17th May 2020 the third author's name was changed from 'Chiranjibi' to 'Chiranjivi'

Budget allocated, especially for new pilot program should yield better health effects than the regular ones. The government of Nepal launched Integrated Public Health Campaign (IPHC), a new type of intervention to make rural and vulnerable communities more aware about basic level health care services and increase their utilization. This paper examines the cost of the campaign and its outcomes in terms of providing awareness, utilization of maternal health services and improving health indicators. The study followed a comparative quasi experimental design, study unit being the household and the campaign. Case and Control village development committees (VDCs) were selected from the same territory and matched based on the criteria of IPHC and other socio-demographic & health services characteristics. Cost calculation was based on direct method whereas the effectiveness was measured by analyzing the output of campaign between case and control VDC. The total cost of the campaign was NRs. 18, 00,000 with per household cost NRs. 585.93 and per capita cost NRs. 123.11. The awareness level of Free Health Services (FHS), Primary Health Care-Out Reach Centre and Safe Delivery Incentive Program (SDIP) was found to be 3.3, 2.65 and 1.95 times more in people of Case VDC than those of Control VDC. Moreover, there was no significant association between implementation of campaign with different practices of maternal health viz. Antenatal Care visit, delivery, SDIP and post natal care visit. The campaign was found effective in improving the status of OPD visit, measles, TT2+, growth monitoring of children and vitamin A supplementation to postpartum mothers. The campaign was effective in limited aspects. In case of its continuation, revision is necessary with the introduction of newer and better approaches.

 Economic Journal of Development Issues Vol. 23&24 No. 1-2, (2017) Combined Issue, Page : 113-122